Page 19 of The Road to You
Her breath hitches, just barely. It’s subtle, but I notice the breath caught in her throat. Just like I’ve noticed the way she leans toward me sometimes, the way she lets her gaze linger, the way she laughs a little softer when it’s just the two of us. Being together day after day has created the sort of intimacy between us that normally only happens after months of dating. And the fact that this thought crosses my mind should be enough to let her go, but I linger a moment longer, savoring her breath on my skin, coming closer and closer.
Is it real, or am I just drunk and imagining what I want to see? Her eyes flick to my mouth, just for a second. But I see that too. I didn’t imagine it.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I don’t know what I’m supposed to say. My grip tightens on her waist before I force myself to loosen it. We’re drunk. That’s all this is. I can’t trust my judgment when I can’t even walk straight.
“We should head back before we hit our heads out here.” I keep my voice light, forcing a grin as I turn her toward the path.
She doesn’t argue. Just slides her arm around my back as I drape mine over her shoulders. It’s practical; we need to keep each other steady. At least that’s what I tell myself, but even drunk I know it’s bullshit.
But the way she fits against me feels far too good to ignore.
We stumble into the winery,Lena still giggling beside me. She’s been laughing at a butterfly for the last five minutes, watching it zip back and forth like it’s drunk too. And now she’s got me chuckling along with her. Our steps are unsteady, our bodies warm from too much wine and summer air.
The woman who served us earlier greets us with a knowing smile.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to drive tonight. Do you have a couple of rooms left in the bed- and-breakfast?” I ask.
Lena covers her mouth, trying—and failing—not to laugh, and the woman’s lips twitch like she’s holding back her own amusement.
“I only have one room left,” she says, almost apologetic.
I glance at Lena, still clinging to my side. She shrugs. “It’s not like we can drive anyway. It’s this or sleep in the car.”
The mere idea of sleeping all cramped up makes my back ache in protest. “We’ll take the room,” I say, and the woman nods.
We barely make it to the door before Lena almost trips over her bag.
“Jesus, I’m drunk, drunk, drunk,” she giggles.
I steady her, my hand instinctively settling at the small of her back. She’s warm beneath my touch, and I have to remind myself to let go.
Inside, the room is small but cozy. One bed, one armchair, a door that probably leads to the bathroom. I stare at the furniture like it somehow betrayed me.
“There’s only one bed,” I mutter, stating the obvious because my brain is too slow to process anything else.
Lena tilts her head at me. “Of course, there’s only one bed. What did you expect?”
Good question. What did I expect?
Before I can figure that out, she sighs. “Listen, we’re both adults. We can be mature enough to sleep in the same bed without having…” She trails off, then dissolves into laughter again.
I smirk, shaking my head, and start to strip out of my shoes and pants.
“Why are you stripping?” she squeaks, covering her eyes.
I pause with fingers gripping the hem of my T-shirt. “Because I need to go to bed? I know it’s early, but I really need to lie down right now. I’m not getting in bed fully dressed.”
“Oh. You’re right.” She mumbles, grabbing her bag and practically sprinting into the bathroom.
I don’t even bother getting under the sheets, just collapse onto the mattress with a sigh. The evening breeze drifts in through the open window, cooling my heated skin. At some point, Lena slips into bed next to me, but I don’t even open my eyes. I’m too far gone to have any reaction.
Pain shatters through my leg,sharp and unrelenting, tearing me from sleep. A choked groan escapes me as I clench the sheets in my fists while my entire body locks up.
“Michele?” Lena’s voice is thick with sleep but laced with concern. She shifts beside me. “What’s wrong?”
I grind my teeth. “My leg.”
